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Reader question: Please explain “level-headed”, as in this headline (DailyMail.co.uk, January 10, 2018): Most Americans believe Trump is not fit to be president - with seven in 10 saying he is not level-headed. My comments: In other words, he’s not even-keeled. Level, as in level playing field (a metaphor for fair play, literally meaning that the surface of something is perfectly flat and even). The surface of a lake on a quiet windless day is perfectly level and still, ripple-less and wave free, clear, mirror-like. Zen masters of the past used to liken the ripple-free lake water to their calm mind, meaning when they are able to keep their mind still, like calm water, they’re able to achieve perfect balance, peacefulness and composure – which, in turn, enables them to see things clearly even, or rather especially in times of trouble and turmoil while lesser humans get ruffled and go angry and lose control of themselves. Keel, on the other hand, represents the belly bottom of a ship. Obviously a ship that is even keeled is able to maintain balance. Such a ship will be able to weather a storm without, as it were, keeling over – capsizing and bellying up, turning upside down. A person who is level-headed is like a ship with an even keel. Such a person is balanced, even-tempered, stable, steady, consistent, etc. Needless to say, such a person is sensible, able to see things clearly in difficult situations. Such a person is not easily ruffled, annoyed, or disturbed. Such a person won’t easily lose his or her cool. | 
