Hsiao, and the work's modern translators, considered it a 'principle' example of Han Taoism;[4] Sima Tan may have even had the subversive "syncretism" of the Huainanzi in mind when he coined the term, claiming to "pick what is good among the Confucians and Mohists.

"[5] Although the first and twelfth chapters of the work are based on the Tao te Ching, the Huainanzi most strongly resonates with the Zhuangzi, with influences including the Lüshi chunqiu, Han Feizi, Mozi, Guanzi, the Classic of Poetry, and Xunzi.

Quantitatively, it's most major influences are the Zhuangzi and Lüshi Chunqiu, and about half as much the Tao te Ching and Han Feizi, including traces of Shen Buhai.

[11] The Huainanzi is an eclectic compilation of chapters or essays that range across topics of religion, history, astronomy, geography, philosophy, science, metaphysics, nature, and politics.

Thus, he who is merged with Supreme Harmony is beclouded as if dead-drunk, and drifts about in its midst in sweet contentment, unaware how he came there; engulfed in pure delight as he sinks to the depths; benumbed as he reaches the end, he is as if he had not yet begun to emerge from his origin.