The present invention relates to a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having quick response and comprising a smectic liquid crystal compound and an optically active compound.The ferroelectric liquid crystal composition comprises components A and B, said component A comprising a compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## and/or a compound represented by the formula: ##STR2## said component B comprising a compound represented by the formula: ##STR3## and/or a compound represented by the formula: ##STR4## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 are each an alkyl or alkoxy group of 1 to 18 carbon, R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 are each an alkyl group of 2 to 18 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, X and Y are each --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, ##STR5## m, n, k and l are each an integer of 1 or 2 and * is an asymmetric carbon atom, the component A to component B ratio being 1.5 or less. This ferroelectric liquid crystal composition can be used in a light switching element for the purpose of imparting quick response to the light switching element.