"Remember, a chip on the shoulder is a sure sign of wood higher up"

Carrying a chip on the shoulder refers to harboring resentment, defensiveness, or a sense of grievance, often leading individuals to be easily provoked or constantly feeling wronged. Brigham Young’s metaphor draws a parallel between this attitude and the literal presence of “wood higher up,” suggesting that when someone displays a chip on their shoulder, or figuratively, a small fragment of discontent, it signals the existence of a much larger underlying issue or disposition.

Wood, part of the structure of the body higher up, refers to the head or mindset. A chip appearing outwardly stems from the greater mass supporting it: habitual thoughts, entrenched attitudes, or unresolved inner conflicts. The phrase implies that a person’s visible grievances often originate from deeper, internal problems, pride, insecurity, or a rigid worldview. It’s rarely about one isolated incident; the chip is a symptom of what burdens the mind and spirit. The “wood higher up” is the pride or ego that sustains the resentment, justifying slights, nurturing grudges, perhaps seeking conflict as validation.

Self-awareness becomes crucial in overcoming such attitudes. Noticing the chip means tracing it to its root, addressing what feeds the perceptions of injustice or slight. The phrase also serves as a gentle admonition: when we encounter those with chips on their shoulders, it is often more constructive to look with empathy and curiosity towards the greater, hidden burdens, rather than responding with irritation or counterattack.

Moreover, the metaphor warns against letting minor grievances ossify into character. If left unchecked, the chip grows, reinforced by the “wood” of inflexible thinking or unchecked pride. To be free of that burden, one must examine not just the surface issue but probe deeper, cultivating humility, forgiveness, and resilience. The real work is not brushing away the chip, but transforming the very mindset that lets it rest there.