CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 64,093	$ 83,348
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	41,799	40,947
Deferred income taxes and other long-term taxes	11,720	27,939
Stock-based compensation	9,062	8,269
Asset impairments	3,594	530
Amortization of acquired unfavorable contract backlog	(1,523)	(8,331)
Net gain on disposals of subsidiaries, assets and other	(69)	(6,733)
Other	30	645
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(140,794)	(196)
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities	(12,088)	146,418
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(37,201)	(45,559)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	743	9,651
Proceeds from insurance	0	784
Net cash flows used by investing activities:	(36,458)	(35,124)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(3,823)	(53,298)
Proceeds from accounts receivable programs	4,487	27,050
Repayments under accounts receivable programs	(4,487)	(31,057)
Dividends	(14,406)	(14,238)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(10,341)	(7,817)
Net cash flows used by financing activities	(28,570)	(79,360)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(365)	196
Increase (decrease) in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents	(77,481)	32,130
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	467,483	225,859
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period	467,483	225,859
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for income taxes	4,743	2,119
Cash paid for interest	18,691	20,031
Noncash activities:
Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment	$ 20,246	$ 17,569