These reflections by Miguel de Unamuno (1864-1936), written before and after the fateful year of 1898, when read in the current context of Spanish society, reveal the persistence of a narrow sense of patriotism, a parochial sentiment, a simplistic concept of nationhood often based on falsehood. I believe that when many protest against what they call Spanish nationalism, they are protesting against the very essence of Spain's de-Spanishness. Eradicate the Bedouinism! Uproot the petty fiefdoms! Herein lies the great, noble, patriotic task of all those who speak of cutting the ties. If they wish to save themselves by cutting these ties, they will be lost; if instead of striving to pull the rope and drag others along, they occupy themselves with cutting it, they will go, with the rope severed, to sink wherever the one who pulled them with it sinks.