CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	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)
Ending balance at Sep. 01, 2017	$ 259					$ 259
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
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)
Net earnings	138,506				138,506
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,164)			(12,164)
Cash dividends	(56,076)				(56,076)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(9,301)		(28,000)				$ 18,699
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares							1,221,822
Stock-based compensation	16,168		16,168
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	13							13
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	15,248		15,248
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2018	1,493,583	$ 1,290	352,674	(93,677)	1,446,495		$ (213,385)	186
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2018		129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2018							(12,045,106)
Ending balance at Sep. 01, 2018	$ (2,747)					$ (2,747)
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
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
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2018							(12,045,106)
Net earnings	198,093				198,093
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(30,449)			(30,449)
Cash dividends	(56,537)				(56,537)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(1,875)		(17,910)				$ 16,035
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares							909,380
Stock-based compensation	21,052		20,977		75
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	10							10
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	2,927		2,927
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2019	$ 1,624,057	$ 1,290	358,668	(124,126)	1,585,379		$ (197,350)	196
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2019	129,060,664	129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2019	(11,135,726)						(11,135,726)
Net earnings	$ 279,503				279,503
Other comprehensive income (loss)	20,362			20,362
Cash dividends	(57,056)				(57,056)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(3,420)		(25,707)				$ 22,287
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares							1,295,967
Stock-based compensation	23,441		23,441
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	16							16
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	2,510		2,510
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2020	$ 1,889,413	$ 1,290	$ 358,912	$ (103,764)	$ 1,807,826		$ (175,063)	$ 212
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2020	129,060,664	129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2020	(9,839,759)						(9,839,759)