Castigat ridendo mores

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]

Look up castigat, ridendo, or mores in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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

References
  1. "Latin Quotes: Criticism". Latin Phrases & Quotes. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  2. Felt, Scott. "Latin Phrases in Scholarly Writing". University of North Texas, Department of Criminal Justice. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  3. "Castigat ridendo mores. Jean de Santeul". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  4. H. King, W. Francis (1965). Classical and Foreign Quotations: A Polyglot Manual of Historical and Literary Sayings Noted Passages in Poetry and Prose Phrases, Proverbs, and Bons Mots. London: J. Whitaker & Sons, Limited. p. 35.


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