thermostat question

1968FormulaS340 said
A thermostat only controls minimum operating temperature, not maximum.

For example: An engine at 200 degrees doesn't know or care that the thermostat opened at 180 or 160, all it sees is that they are both open.

Right, but when the car is warming up to operating temp and the stat opens at 160*, until it gets up closer to the proper 195* mark it is creating wear on the cylinder walls, rings etc.