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