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, 2024	May 31, 2023	May 31, 2024	May 31, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 119,440	$ 233,971	$ 381,560	$ 675,594
Average basic shares outstanding (shares)	115,529,942	117,066,623	116,228,826	117,192,710
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)	1,134,943	1,331,276	1,354,229	1,554,374
Average diluted shares outstanding (shares)	116,664,885	118,397,899	117,583,055	118,747,084
Earnings per share:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 1.03	$ 2.00	$ 3.28	$ 5.76
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 1.02	$ 1.98	$ 3.25	$ 5.69