"Damaged Goods "

Bollocks!

You, like a car, depreciate as soon as you're driven off the lot.

You could offer many many years and kms of service, perhaps get dings - some buff out, some don't.
Oils can be changed, parts can be replaced - but the whole will not last forever*.

Eventually either your mind or your body will decay to the point that you stop.

I don't have any truck with "no one is damaged, everyone is a true reflection of perfection"

I prefer "everyone is or will be damaged over time, find a way to make peace with that and get on with things"

Well, women were considered possessions until a few decades ago, and it still exists in many parts of the world to this day. So the reality that it emerged with men and continues with some men, is not really resolved by the reality that some women have chosen to borrow the phrase and return the favour. It probably goes back to the whole virgin bride cultures.

It's not a very nice thing to say though to anyone. I think the OP is indeed finding "a way to make peace with that and get on with things".

Well, women were considered possessions until a few decades ago, and it still exists in many parts of the world to this day. So the reality that it emerged with men and continues with some men, is not really resolved by the reality that some women have chosen to borrow the phrase and return the favour. It probably goes back to the whole virgin bride cultures.

Touche.



(No idea if that argument is true, I'll hit up Ngram, but it sounds good, so you can have the point)


Edit: as early as 1840 a man referred to himself as damaged goods when unable to catch the eye of a lady.
This is WAY off topic, but this sort of thing intrigues me.