A liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic, such as, high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large dielectric anisotropy, large specific resistance, large elastic constant, high stability to ultraviolet light and high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced between at least two of the characteristics; and provides an AM device that has short response time, large voltage holding ratio, large contrast ratio, long service life and so forth. A liquid crystal composition is provided that has a nematic phase and includes a specific three-ring compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component, a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.