OPERATING SEGMENTS (Reconciliations of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Operating Profit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net earnings		$ 859,760	$ 1,217,262	$ 412,865
Interest expense		(40,127)	(50,709)	(51,904)
Income taxes		(262,207)	(297,885)	(121,153)
Depreciation and amortization		218,830	175,024	167,613
Asset impairments	$ 3,500	3,780	4,926	6,784
Amortization of acquired unfavorable contract backlog		0	0	(6,035)
Adjusted EBITDA		$ 1,384,704	$ 1,745,806	$ 754,284