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, 2017	$ 1,400,930	$ 1,290	$ 349,258	$ (81,513)	$ 1,363,806	$ (232,084)	$ 173
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2017		129,060,664
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2017						(13,266,928)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	36,810				36,810
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,171			3,171
Dividends ($0.12 per share)	(13,993)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(9,520)		(22,491)			$ 12,971
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						836,892
Stock-based compensation	2,327		2,327
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	15,248		15,248
Ending balance at Nov. 30, 2017	1,434,973	$ 1,290	344,342	(78,342)	1,386,623	$ (219,113)	173
Ending balance, shares at Nov. 30, 2017		129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Nov. 30, 2017						(12,430,036)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2018	$ 1,493,583	$ 1,290	352,674	(93,677)	1,446,495	$ (213,385)	186
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2018	129,060,664	129,060,664
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2018	(12,045,106)					(12,045,106)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	$ 19,742				19,742
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(8,524)			(8,524)
Dividends ($0.12 per share)	(14,116)				(14,116)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(6,220)		(17,090)			$ 10,870
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						618,643
Stock-based compensation	7,309		7,309
Adoption of ASC 606 adjustment	(2,747)				(2,747)
Ending balance at Nov. 30, 2018	$ 1,489,027	$ 1,290	$ 342,893	$ (102,201)	$ 1,449,374	$ (202,515)	$ 186
Ending balance, shares at Nov. 30, 2018	129,060,664	129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Nov. 30, 2018	(11,426,463)					(11,426,463)