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, 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
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2019						(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)
Net earnings	$ 412,865				412,865
Other comprehensive income (loss)	18,944			18,944
Cash dividends	(57,766)				(57,766)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(3,166)		(25,647)			$ 22,481
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						1,365,684
Stock-based compensation	29,380		29,380
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	20						20
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	5,419		5,419
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2021	$ 2,295,109	$ 1,290	$ 368,064	$ (84,820)	$ 2,162,925	$ (152,582)	$ 232
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2021	129,060,664	129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2021	(8,474,075)					(8,474,075)