Carlson laughed. “You God damn punk,” he said. You tried to throw a scare into Slim, an’ you couldn’t make it stick. Slim throwed a scare inta you. You’re yella as a frog belly. I don’t care if you’re the best welter in the country. You come for me, an’ I’ll kick your God damn head off.”
Candy joined the attack with joy, “Glove fulla vaseline,” he said disgustedly. Curley flared at him. His eyes slipped on past and lighted on Lennie; and Lennie was still smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch.
– John Steinbeck
Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. Candy is verbally attacked by the other men because they recognize how much of a coward and bully he is and only picks on people who can’t retaliate.