During the last fifty years the mechanical properties of ceramic materials have been greatly improved, their toughness and strength have been increased and the scatter of strength decreased. Adequate statistical design procedures for brittle materials exist but cracking and brittle fracture of ceramic components still occur very often. In this review the theory of brittle fracture and the underlying assumptions are critically discussed and the measurement procedures of strength are reviewed. It is shown that the strength of materials, the strength of specimens and the strength of components are often quite different properties. Three main factors are identified which in order to avoid unexpected failure of components have to be considered much more than in the past: (i) hidden stresses, i.e. stresses caused by thermal strain mismatch, by contact (for example in joints) and internal stresses, (ii) the quality of the component's surfaces and edges and.(iii) proper handling of ceramic materials and components. It can clearly be stated that the mechanical properties of many ceramic materials are appropriate even for applications under severe loading conditions but bad or incomplete mechanical design, insufficient surface finish and mishandling are the main reasons for unexpected failure of ceramic components. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.