STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE (Calculations of the Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2023	Feb. 28, 2022	Feb. 28, 2023	Feb. 28, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 179,849	$ 383,314	$ 441,623	$ 616,203
Average basic shares outstanding (shares)	117,224,517	121,458,196	117,249,266	121,293,030
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)	1,498,742	1,394,214	1,735,832	1,454,951
Average diluted shares outstanding (shares)	118,723,259	122,852,410	118,985,098	122,747,981
Earnings per share:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 1.53	$ 3.16	$ 3.77	$ 5.08
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 1.51	$ 3.12	$ 3.71	$ 5.02