fideli certa merces

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /fiˈdeː.liː ˈker.ta ˈmer.keːs/, [fɪˈd̪eːlʲiː ˈkɛrt̪ä ˈmɛrkeːs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /fiˈde.li ˈt͡ʃer.ta ˈmer.t͡ʃes/, [fiˈd̪ɛːli ˈt͡ʃɛrt̪ä ˈmɛrt͡ʃes]

Proverb

fidēlī certa mercēs

1. “To the faithful there is certain reward”

Usage notes

• Found on U.S. Marine Corps Honorable discharge certificates, it extends the meaning of the Marine Corps Motto: "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful).
• Also appears as the Crest/Coat of Arms Motto for the Parker, Shapleigh, and Bottomley families.