Mores, (pronounced morays) are public morals, usually referring to morals of the times. These are basically standards of personal behavior, usually as expressed by a social group. Mores have been the butt of criticism in literature for centuries, referring to the hypocrisy of societies which preach moral standards but don't practice them. In most cases this criticism has been amply justified. The most famous usage of the term is the Latin expression O tempora! O mores!, meaning 'O the times! O the morals!'