“Everybody is damaged goods. Everybody got bumps and dents, ja? But sometimes two people fit together, and the bumps go into the dents, and you have a whole thing like a potato.”
In this quote from Canadian author Paul Quarrington, he presents a beautifully simplistic analogy to describe human relationships. Quarrington compares people to "damaged goods" with "bumps and dents," emphasizing that everyone carries their own set of flaws and imperfections. However, he suggests that when two people come together and form a connection, their imperfections align in a complementary way, much like the bumps and dents of a potato fitting together. This analogy illustrates how relationships can bring out the best in each other, despite the individual struggles and hardships each person may carry. It highlights the idea that sometimes, in our brokenness, we can find solace and completeness in the company of another.
In a world where people are often judged by their flaws and imperfections, Paul Quarrington's words serve as a reminder that everyone carries their own burdens. Despite our individual struggles, true connections can still be formed when two people complement each other in such a way that their flaws fit together like puzzle pieces. This analogy of bumps and dents coming together to create something whole, like a potato, highlights the beauty of finding understanding and companionship in the midst of imperfection.
Paul Quarrington's quote beautifully illustrates how imperfections can align in a relationship to create something whole and beautiful.
In this quote by Paul Quarrington, the idea of two imperfect individuals coming together to create something whole is portrayed. Consider the following questions as you reflect on this idea:
How do you interpret the analogy of bumps and dents fitting together like a potato in relationships?
In what ways have you experienced the concept of individuals complementing each other's flaws in your own relationships or partnerships?
What do you think it takes for two people to truly fit together and create a cohesive whole despite their individual imperfections?
How does this quote challenge societal norms and expectations surrounding perfection and partnership?
Can you think of any personal examples or anecdotes that exemplify the message conveyed in this quote by Paul Quarrington?
“I've come to the conclusion that there are two types of people. The fucked up good and the fucked up bad. You see, everybody's fucked up. Everybody has had traumas in their lives to deal with. With most people these traumas mess them up inside... but a few people they come through even better adjusted somehow... I mean, they haven't developed damaging emotional problems.”
“Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves.”
“If possible, try to find a way to come downstairs that doesn't involve going bump, bump, bump, on the back of your head.”
“I don't fear the things that go 'bump' in the night. It's the things that go 'RRAAAAARGGH!' that bother me.”
“There isn't going to be any turning point. ... There isn't going to be any next-month-it'll-be-better, next fucking year, next fucking life. You don't have any time to wait for. You just got to look around you and say, "So this is it. This is really all there is to it. This little thing." Everybody needing such little things and they can't get them. Everybody needing just a little ... confidence from somebody else and they can't get it. Everybody, everybody fighting to protect their little feelings. Everybody, you know, like reaching out tentatively but drawing back. It's so shallow and seems so ... fucking ... it seems like such a shame. It's so close to being like really right and good and open and amorphous and giving and everything. But it's not. And it ain't gonna be.September 1969quoted in "The New Yorker" 9 August 1999”