back-wounding

“I shrugged my shoulders at all these scandals, and asked the talebearers what had been said about Shakespeare to make him rave as he raved again and again against “back-wounding calumny”; and when they persisted in their malicious stories”

Oscar Wilde, His Life and Confessions

“In Measure for Measure, he had Duke Vincentio opine that holders of high office cannot escape unfairly harsh criticism in this life: No might nor greatness in mortality/Can censure scape; back-wounding calumny/The whitest virtue strikes.”

Simon & Schuster: No Uncertain Terms

“I shrugged my shoulders at all these scandals, and asked the talebearers what had been said about Shakespeare to make him rave as he raved again and again against “back-wounding calumny”; and when they persisted in their malicious stories I could do nothing but show disbelief.”

Oscar Wilde

“Oh, the influence for good that this venom of the devil has poisoned and ruined, for it has been, truly said, "There is no virtue so white that back-wounding calumny will not strike" -- even in God's perfect man, those who are watching and seeking to betray can find something on which to ground their accusations.”

Godliness : being reports of a series of addresses delivered at James's Hall, London, W. during 1881

“back-wounding calumny"; and when they persisted in their malicious stories I could do nothing but show disbelief.”

Oscar Wilde His Life and Confessions