The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and heat, or a liquid crystal composition having a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics; and an AM device having a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth; wherein a liquid crystal composition has a negative dielectric anisotropy and contains a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific two-ring compound having a large optical anisotropy and a low viscosity as a second component, and a liquid crystal display device contains the composition.