A liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy and containing at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (2) as a second component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (3) as a third component, and at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (4) as a fourth component: ##STR00001## wherein the liquid crystal composition consists essentially of the first component, the second component, the third component and the fourth component and wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.2 is alkyl or alkoxy; R.sup.3 is alkyl or alkoxymethyl; R.sup.4 is alkyl; A.sup.1 is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; A.sup.2 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2-fluoro-1,4-phenhlene; and Z.sup.1 is a single bond or --COO--.