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