CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - 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, 2015	$ 1,381,374	$ 1,290	$ 365,863	$ (113,535)	$ 1,373,568	$ (245,961)	$ 149
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2015		129,060,664
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2015						(13,425,326)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	54,893				54,893
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,645)			(13,645)
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)	(41,586)				(41,586)
Treasury stock acquired	(30,595)					$ (30,595)
Treasury stock acquired, shares						(2,255,069)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(6,036)		(29,599)			$ 23,563
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						1,246,329
Stock-based compensation	15,327		15,327
Tax benefit from stock plans	666		666
Contribution of noncontrolling interest	29		19				10
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	3,035		3,035
Ending balance at May. 31, 2016	1,363,462	$ 1,290	355,311	(127,180)	1,386,875	$ (252,993)	159
Ending balance, shares at May. 31, 2016		129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at May. 31, 2016						(14,434,066)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2016	$ 1,367,431	$ 1,290	358,745	(112,914)	1,372,988	$ (252,837)	159
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2016	129,060,664	129,060,664
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2016	(14,425,068)					(14,425,068)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	$ 75,873				75,873
Other comprehensive income (loss)	15,913			15,913
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)	(41,619)				(41,619)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(5,599)		(26,269)			$ 20,670
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						1,153,396
Stock-based compensation	9,731		9,731
Contribution of noncontrolling interest	14						14
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	1,780		1,780
Reclassification of share-based equity awards	(5,439)		(5,439)
Ending balance at May. 31, 2017	$ 1,418,085	$ 1,290	$ 338,548	$ (97,001)	$ 1,407,242	$ (232,167)	$ 173
Ending balance, shares at May. 31, 2017	129,060,664	129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at May. 31, 2017	(13,271,672)					(13,271,672)