A liquid crystal composition, and a liquid crystal display containing the same, having a nematic phase including three components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (1), the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (2), and the third component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (3): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently alkyl having approximately 1 to approximately 12 carbons or alkenyl having approximately 2 to approximately 12 carbons; R.sup.3 is alkyl having approximately 1 to approximately 12 carbons or alkoxy having approximately 1 to approximately 12 carbons; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently alkyl having approximately 1 to approximately 12 carbons; X.sup.1 is fluorine, chlorine, --OCF.sub.2H, --CF.sub.3 or --OCF.sub.3; Y.sup.1 is hydrogen or fluorine; and m and n are each independently 0 or 1.