Castigat ridendo mores

Castigat ridendo mores ("laughing corrects customs/manners") is a Latin phrase that generally means "one corrects customs by laughing at them," or "he corrects customs by ridicule." 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. French Neo-Latin poet Abbé (1630–1697) allegedly coined the phrase.

The phrase is often used to explain the idea of satire in works by Molière and Marivaux.