backbiting, n.All

Backbiting is to speak of a man just as you find him when he can't find you.

Backbiting is ubiquitous. Most people would make a good bargain by renouncing all the good that people say of them on the condition that they would say no ill.

Backbiting is important to friendship, which is why everyone should have at least two friends : one to talk to and one to talk about.

Backbiting is sometimes necessary. What one cannot say to a friend's face, one ought to say very carefully behind his back.

Backbiting is wrong — the best thing to do behind a person's back is pat it.