Books
One cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.
— Jane Austen · Sense and Sensibility
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
Constant ridicule of a man, the speaker observes, will occasionally hit on a clever remark by sheer accident. The line grants a grudging concession: persistent mockery is bound to stumble on some wit eventually. It's a dry, ironic jab at relentless teasing rather than a compliment.
Context reviewed