A liquid crystal composition includes at least one fluorine-containing mesomorphic compound (a) having a fluorocarbon terminal portion and a hydrocarbon terminal portion, and at least one optically active compound (b) having at least one substituted or unsubstituted terminal alkyl group containing an asymmetric carbon atom directly connected with F, CF.sub.3 or CH.sub.3. The liquid crystal composition shows a layer structure of so-called bookshelf or a layer structure having a small inclination angle (closer to bookshelf structure). The liquid crystal composition is useful in improving response characteristics and display characteristics, particularly a contrast ratio, of a liquid crystal device using the liquid crystal composition.