CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2013	$ 1,270,155	$ 1,290	$ 363,772	$ (27,176)	$ 1,166,732	$ (234,619)	$ 156
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2013		129,060,664
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2013						(12,049,674)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	80,626				80,625		1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	28,990			28,990
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)	(42,290)				(42,290)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(860)		(15,505)			$ 14,645
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						745,917
Stock-based compensation	13,437		13,437
Tax benefits from stock plans	625		625
Contribution of noncontrolling interest	(37)		31				(68)
Ending balance at May. 31, 2014	1,350,646	$ 1,290	362,360	1,814	1,205,067	$ (219,974)	89
Ending balance, shares at May. 31, 2014		129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at May. 31, 2014						(11,303,757)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2014	$ 1,348,591	$ 1,290	359,338	(19,509)	1,225,855	$ (218,494)	111
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2014	129,060,664	129,060,664.000
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2014	(11,231,402)					(11,231,402.000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	$ 147,385				147,385
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(76,653)			(76,653)
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)	(42,073)				(42,073)
Treasury stock acquired	(41,806)					$ (41,806)
Treasury stock acquired, shares						(2,902,218)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(1,389)		(15,077)			$ 13,688
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						673,993
Stock-based compensation	15,127		15,127
Tax benefits from stock plans	122		122
Contribution of noncontrolling interest	38						38
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	3,948		3,948
Ending balance at May. 31, 2015	$ 1,353,290	$ 1,290	$ 363,458	$ (96,162)	$ 1,331,167	$ (246,612)	$ 149
Ending balance, shares at May. 31, 2015	129,060,664	129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at May. 31, 2015	(13,459,627)					(13,459,627)