I have wondered for years about the Venus de Milo and if it could ever be restored.
But then, would our perception of her beauty be changed? Is it her current state that makes it so fascinating?
Kinda like the old philosophy course question: would the rose be as beautiful if it did not have thorns?
Speaking purely as a rose gardener, not as a philosopher, there are plenty of beautiful roses without thorns, or with teeny-tiny thorns like little stickers, and very thorny roses that aren't much to look at. Thorniness doesn't have anything to do with beauty in roses.
Not to mention all the beautiful flowers without thorns, like violets, lilies, peonies . . .
My guess is that this is a metaphor for beautiful women who laugh at philosophers, BWDIK?