Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device

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 is provided. An AM device that has short response time, large voltage holding ratio, large contrast ratio, long service life and so forth is provided. The liquid crystal composition has positive dielectric anisotropy and includes a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component, a specific four-ring compound having a large positive dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase as a third component.