For perennialists, too, the nation is immemorial. National forms may change and particular nations may dissolve, but the identity of a nation is unchanging. Yet the nation is not part of any natural order, so one can choose one's nation, and later generations can build something new on their ancient ethnic foundations. The task of nationalism is to rediscover and appropriate a submerged past in order the better to build on it.

As cited by Eric G.E. Zuelow "Anthony D. Smith, Nationalism and the Reconstruction of Nations" on nationalismproject.org. 1999-2007. - Gastronomy or Geology? The Role of Nationalism in the Reconstruction of Nations. (1994)