CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2013	$ 1,396,678	$ 1,290	$ 363,772	$ (27,176)	$ 1,293,255	$ (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)
Net earnings	113,244				113,243		1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,667			7,667
Cash dividends	(56,428)				(56,428)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(1,488)		(17,613)			$ 16,125
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						818,272
Stock-based compensation	17,574		17,574
Tax expense from stock-based plans	(4,426)		(4,426)
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	(15)		31				(46)
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2014	1,472,806	$ 1,290	359,338	(19,509)	1,350,070	$ (218,494)	111
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2014		129,060,664.000
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2014						(11,231,402.000)
Net earnings	79,443				79,443
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(94,026)			(94,026)
Cash dividends	(55,945)				(55,945)
Treasury stock acquired, shares						(2,902,218)
Treasury stock acquired	(41,806)					$ (41,806)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(1,492)		(15,831)			$ 14,339
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						708,294
Stock-based compensation	19,621		19,621
Tax expense from stock-based plans	(1,213)		(1,213)
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	38						38
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	3,948		3,948
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2015	$ 1,381,374	$ 1,290	365,863	(113,535)	1,373,568	$ (245,961)	149
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2015	129,060,664	129,060,664.000
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2015	(13,425,326)					(13,425,326.000)
Net earnings	$ 54,762				54,762
Other comprehensive income (loss)	621			621
Cash dividends	(55,342)				(55,342)
Treasury stock acquired, shares						(2,255,069)
Treasury stock acquired	(30,595)					$ (30,595)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(6,034)		(29,753)			$ 23,719
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						1,255,327
Stock-based compensation	21,278		21,278
Tax expense from stock-based plans	(1,697)		(1,697)
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	29		19				10
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	3,035		3,035
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2016	$ 1,367,431	$ 1,290	$ 358,745	$ (112,914)	$ 1,372,988	$ (252,837)	$ 159
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2016	129,060,664	129,060,664.000
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2016	(14,425,068)					(14,425,068)