• 雖もいえども

  even though, despite, notwithstanding

• と雖もといえども

  even though, even, despite, notwithstanding

• 靴新しと雖も首に加えずくつあたらしといえどもくびにくわえず

  there must be a clear distinction between the upper and lower classes, even new shoes must not be worn on the head

• 嘉肴ありと雖も食らわずんばその旨きを知らずかこうありといえどもくらわずんばそのうまきをしらず

  one cannot understand even a holy man's teachings without study, one cannot know the abilities of a great man without putting him to use, one cannot know the delicious taste of fine food without eating it