Castigat ridendo mores (Latin pronunciation: [kaˈstiːɡat rɪˈdɛndoː ˈmoːreːs]; "laughing corrects customs/manners") is a Latin phrase that generally means "one corrects customs by laughing at them," or "he corrects customs by ridicule."[1] Some commentators suggest that the phrase embodies the essence of satire; in other words, the best way to change things is to point out their absurdity and laugh at them.[2] French Neo-Latin poet Abbé Jean de Santeul (1630–1697) allegedly coined the phrase.[3][4]
The phrase is often used to explain the idea of satire in works by Molière and Marivaux.