What does Oedipus believe he will never have to do again after becoming blind?

The belief that Oedipus will never have to confront his children again after becoming blind stems from his profound sense of guilt and shame regarding his actions and their consequences. After discovering that he has unwittingly killed his father and married his mother, Oedipus is devastated. His blindness serves as a physical manifestation of his moral and emotional blindness throughout his life. Consequently, he feels that he is no longer fit to be in their presence, as he has brought ruin to his own family.

His desire to avoid confronting his children is rooted in the protection instinct; he believes that by distancing himself, he is sparing them from the stigma and burden of his tragic past. This action symbolizes his detachment from his responsibilities as a father and protector due to the weight of his guilt. While he may still interact with the people of Thebes or reflect on his past, the connection to his children represents a personal and emotional hurdle that he feels he cannot overcome.