This text explores the ontological nature of the nation and the inherent dangers of nationalism. The author argues that a nation is not a natural entity but rather the result of social agreement and collective conviction. It emerges when a community recognizes its mutual belonging, shared goals, and historical continuity, a process exemplified in the Czech context by the National Awakening centered on language and history. A healthy nation is defined by the collaborative effort of generations striving toward values that transcend the community itself. In contrast, nationalism is identified as a pathological deviation occurring when these original values vanish and the community becomes its own ultimate purpose. This internal degradation leads to the relativization of morality and dangerous tendencies toward self-promotion at the expense of others. The author concludes that this process of emptying a community's purpose is not unique to nations but can affect any group, including political parties or sports clubs, with nationalism being just one specific form of such social corruption and internal decay.