speak evil of

The prosecutor invoked St. Paul's teaching that speaking against the state offended God, "for it is written, thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of the People."

But in recent years, Sissi’s officials have seized control of the production of soap operas, ordering up themes that praise the army and the police, or speak evil of the banned Muslim Brotherhood party.

“The unrighteous speak evil of things they understand not and shall perish in their own corruption!”

‘Then Éomer son of Éomund, Third Marshal of Riddermark, let Gimli the Dwarf Glóin’s son warn you against foolish words. You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you.’

‘But lore wanes in Gondor, Boromir, if in the city of those who once were wise they now speak evil of Lothlórien. Believe what you will, there is no other way for us — unless you would go back to Moria-gate, or scale the pathless mountains, or swim the Great River all alone.’