The Dao De Jing is the foundation of Daoism while the Lun Yu, or the Analects of Confucius, is the central text for Confucianism. Both classic Chinese texts emphasize working toward a harmony with nature without the assumption of man set above plants, animals, mountains, water and other aspects of nature; rather man is a part of this greater whole. This paper challenges the western view of man’s superiority or dominion over nature and explores specific references in both classic texts that reinforce this idea of man being simply part of the natural world. In particular can Chinese or Eastern philosophical thinking influence contemporary sustainable environmentally responsible attitudes? Are the philosophical concepts in the Dao De Jing and the Analects of Confucius relevant to environmentalists and ecocritics today? This paper examines how the concepts within these ancient texts present relationships between man and nature, man and woman, humans and their governments; and their significance in today’s culture and society.