Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2011 Common Stock Issued at Par Value [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Common Stock Issued at Par Value [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 Common Stock Issued at Par Value [Member]	Sep. 30, 2008 Common Stock Issued at Par Value [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Retained Earnings [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Retained Earnings [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 Retained Earnings [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Deferred Compensation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Deferred Compensation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 Deferred Compensation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2008 Deferred Compensation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Treasury Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Treasury Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 Treasury Stock [Member]
Changes in components of shareholders' equity
Beginning Balance	$ 5,434,580			$ 332,662	$ 332,662	$ 332,662	$ 332,662	$ 1,624,768	$ 1,485,674	$ 1,359,531	$ 8,724,228	$ 7,752,831	$ 6,838,589	$ 18,875	$ 17,164	$ 17,906	$ 14,694	$ (4,806,333)	$ (4,073,699)	$ (3,532,398)
Beginning Balance, Shares																		(102,845,609)	(95,579,970)	(89,584,786)
Net income	1,270,994	1,317,610	1,231,603								1,270,994	1,317,610	1,231,603
Ending Balance	4,828,175	5,434,580		332,662	332,662	332,662	332,662	1,793,160	1,624,768	1,485,674	9,633,584	8,724,228	7,752,831	18,875	17,164	17,906	14,694	(6,280,106)	(4,806,333)	(4,073,699)
Ending Balance, Shares																		(117,844,159)	(102,845,609)	(95,579,970)
Cash dividends:
Common ($1.32, $1.48 and $1.64 per share for the year ended 2009, 2010, 2011 respectively)											(361,638)	(346,213)	(317,361)
Common stock issued for:
Share-based compensation plans, net								95,227	59,866	38,919								27,939	16,624	11,608
Share-based compensation plans, net, Shares																		3,432,415	2,758,391	2,283,887
Business acquisitions										1,330										309
Business acquisitions, Shares																				24,110
Share-based compensation								73,165	79,228	86,519
Common stock held in trusts, net														1,711	(742)	3,212		(1,711)	742	(3,212)
Common stock held in trusts, net, Shares																		3,316	34,790	(91,681)
Repurchase of common stock																		(1,500,001)	(750,000)	(550,006)
Repurchase of common stock, Shares																		(18,434,281)	(10,058,820)	(8,211,500)
Other changes										$ (625)