Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 73,259	$ 177,272
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	102,164	103,941
Provision for losses on receivables, net	3,349	785
Share-based compensation	13,528	9,196
Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain	(8,723)	(2,908)
Loss on debt extinguishment	1,502	0
Deferred income taxes (benefit)	44,371	(67,497)
Tax benefits from stock plans	(6)	(58)
Net gain on sale of cost method investment and other	(25,999)	(1,134)
Write-down of inventory	2,310	9,305
Asset impairment	3,434	1,628
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(12,189)	4,157
Accounts receivable sold (repurchased), net	(2,292)	23,891
Inventories	(32,321)	(8,130)
Other assets	5,128	17,854
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables	(148,030)	(145,900)
Other long-term liabilities	(1,962)	12,433
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities	17,523	134,835
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(63,008)	(82,505)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	11,164	11,371
Proceeds from the sale of cost method investment	28,995	0
Decrease in deposit for letters of credit	0	30,404
Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities	(22,849)	(40,730)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in documentary letters of credit	395	(59,492)
Short-term borrowings, net change	(25,595)	38,091
Repayments on long-term debt	(63,442)	(63,542)
Proceeds from termination of interest rate swaps	0	52,733
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	330,000	0
Payments for debt issuance costs	(4,125)	0
Debt extinguishment costs	(1,502)	0
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	1,347	1,488
Cash dividends	(41,990)	(41,657)
Tax benefits from stock plans	6	58
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	13	(46)
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities	195,107	(72,367)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,066	(10,469)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	190,847	11,269
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	262,422	222,390
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 453,269	$ 233,659