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		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2023	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2023	May 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 233,971	$ 312,429	$ 675,594	$ 928,632
Average basic shares outstanding (shares)	117,066,623	121,247,105	117,192,710	121,277,553
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)	1,331,276	1,552,764	1,554,374	1,649,738
Average diluted shares outstanding (shares)	118,397,899	122,799,869	118,747,084	122,927,291
Earnings per share:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 2.00	$ 2.58	$ 5.76	$ 7.66
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 1.98	$ 2.54	$ 5.69	$ 7.55