Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 45,919	$ 49,719
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	33,860	33,751
Provision for losses on receivables, net	(240)	1,153
Share-based compensation	5,544	4,509
Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain	(1,900)	(2,908)
Deferred income taxes (benefit)	19,081	23,876
Tax benefits from stock plans	(109)	0
Net gain on sale of a subsidiary, cost method investment and other	(25,064)	(26,071)
Asset impairment	1,005	3,028
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	73,052	81,217
Accounts receivable sold, net	3,327	(46,614)
Inventories	(29,789)	(99,076)
Other assets	(20,185)	(740)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables	(31,534)	(56,228)
Other long-term liabilities	505	113
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities	73,472	(34,271)
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14,085)	(24,757)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	2,126	5,956
Proceeds from the sale of a subsidiary	54,265	0
Proceeds from the sale of cost method investment	0	28,995
Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities	42,306	10,194
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Increase in documentary letters of credit	18,663	60,217
Short-term borrowings, net change	2,020	(13,045)
Repayments on long-term debt	(1,551)	(1,284)
Payments for debt issuance costs	(430)	0
Decrease in restricted cash	17,300	0
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(2,089)	(414)
Cash dividends	(14,067)	(13,963)
Tax benefits from stock plans	109	0
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	(52)	15
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities	19,903	31,526
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,022	1,525
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	136,703	8,974
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	378,770	262,422
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 515,473	$ 271,396