“As you ramble on thru life, Brother,
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Whatever be your goal,
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Keep your eye upon the doughnut,
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And not upon the hole.”
This simple verse captures a powerful philosophy. It teaches us to focus on substance over absence. The advice encourages an optimistic outlook on life. You should value what you have instead of lamenting what you lack. The doughnut represents opportunity, abundance, and positivity. In contrast, the hole symbolizes scarcity, negativity, and missing pieces. This saying has a rich history that traces back to a time of great social change in America.
Its core idea is about perspective. Two people can view the exact same situation. One sees potential and plenty. The other sees only emptiness. This powerful metaphor has resonated for over a century, evolving from a short poem to a cultural touchstone for resilience and positive thinking. Source
The Birth of a Metaphor
The philosophical roots of this expression took hold in the early 1900s. During this period, American society faced significant economic and social shifts. The metaphor provided a clever way to contrast two viewpoints. The optimist sees the nourishing doughnut. Conversely, the pessimist fixates on the empty center. This imagery powerfully illustrates the choice between constructive and destructive perspectives.
The concept first appeared in print in April 1904. It was a short, four-line poem in New York’s “The Sun” newspaper titled “Their Points of View.” The verse laid the groundwork for the modern saying by establishing the core contrast. It highlighted the droll difference between an optimist who sees the doughnut and a pessimist who sees the hole. This original poem captured the essential conflict between positive and negative worldviews, using the doughnut to show how people approach the same circumstances differently.
. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers
Championed by a Social Reformer
The expression gained significant traction thanks to Jacob Riis. Riis was an influential journalist and social reformer. He was famous for documenting urban poverty. In July 1907, he spoke to the National Education Association. Riis incorporated the metaphor into his speech, adding his own flair. He urged his audience to “Keep your eye on the doughnut.”. Source
He continued to advocate for this philosophy. In November 1907, Riis addressed students at the University of North Dakota. His speech emphasized the practical benefits of optimistic thinking. He explained that the pessimist sees only the hole, but the optimist sees the doughnut itself. Therefore, by keeping your eyes on the tangible doughnut, you find encouragement to move forward. This version showed how the metaphor could inspire real action and progress.
From Print to Cultural Icon
The saying achieved major visual prominence in February 1908. Artist Grant E. Hamilton published a political cartoon in “Judge” magazine. This influential illustration showed Uncle Sam speaking to Capital and Labor. His message was clear: “DON’T LOOK AT THE HOLE, KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE DOUGHNUT.” The cartoon’s symbolism was quite sophisticated for its time. The doughnut, labeled with “Big Crops” and “Natural Resources,” represented national prosperity. Meanwhile, the hole symbolized the “Business Depression.”
This artistic take transformed the saying into a powerful commentary on American economic resilience. The cartoon‘s impact was immediate and widespread. It generated extensive discussion across many publications. For instance, the “Boston Evening Transcript” reported in March 1908 how speakers used the cartoon as a basis for their talks. Other major publications, including “The Literary Digest” and “Leslie’s Weekly,” also reprinted the cartoon. This amplification cemented its place in the cultural conversation.
. HathiTrust Digital Library – The Optimist’s Good Morning
Solidifying the Phrase
By June 1908, the saying had evolved closer to its modern form. “The Home Missionary” published a story about a “prosperity association.” This group toured the country to promote business optimism. Their emblem featured a doughnut with a motto. The motto read: “Keep your eye on the doughnut, and not on the hole.” This version marked a key step toward the phrasing we recognize today.
Throughout the early twentieth century, the expression appeared with slight changes. For example, Montana’s “The Daily Missoulian” offered a concise version: “Keep your eye on the doughnut; don’t worry about the hole.” Similarly, the “Daily Kennebec Journal” in Maine presented another variation: “Keep your eye on the doughnut, never mind the hole.” These adaptations show how the core message was molded to fit different contexts while retaining its essential wisdom. The Home Missionary, Volume 21 – Google Books
Modern Resonance and Interpretations
The saying’s most famous poetic form appeared in May 1924. “The Pearl City News” of Illinois published the four-line verse that became widely known. This version, starting with “As you ramble on thru life, Brother,” proved incredibly durable. It has appeared in countless contexts over the decades. Its enduring appeal was even documented in the 1974 “Encyclopedia of Graffiti.” The encyclopedia listed the verse as a traditional inscription found in a New York City diner’s men’s room. David Lynch Foundation – Official Website
More recently, prominent cultural figures have revitalized this timeless wisdom. Filmmaker David Lynch, for example, frequently uses the expression to explain his creative process. He advises people to “Keep your eye on the doughnut, rather than the hole.” For Lynch, it is a metaphor for maintaining artistic focus amid external distractions. Additionally, author Margaret Atwood included the verse in her 2000 novel “The Blind Assassin.” She used it to evoke memories of the Great Depression, demonstrating how this simple philosophy is woven into our cultural memory. From a political cartoon to a novelist’s prose, the message remains as relevant as ever.