Backbiting

1868 allegory of backbiting based on Psalms, "the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart" (11:2) and "their tongue a sharp sword" (57:4)[1]"

Backbiting or tale-bearing is to slander someone in their absence — to bite them behind their back. Originally, backbiting referred to an unsporting attack from the rear in the blood sport of bearbaiting.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Holmes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Webb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).