To provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one or having a suitable balance regarding at least two of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase and a low minimum temperature thereof, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large negative dielectric anisotropy, large specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet light and heat; and an AM device having characteristics such as short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, low threshold voltage, a large contrast ratio and a long service life. The composition contains a specific compound having a high maximum temperature and a low minimum temperature as a first component and has negative dielectric anisotropy, and may further contain a specific compound having large negative dielectric anisotropy as a second component, a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or small viscosity as a third component, a specific compound having large negative dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component and a specific compound having a polymerizable group as an additive component.