Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 54,296	$ 136,589
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	68,037	69,064
Provision for losses (recoveries) on receivables, net	2,463	(616)
Share-based compensation	7,185	5,973
Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain	5,815	0
Deferred income taxes	29,362	(107,818)
Tax benefits from stock plans	(1)	(32)
Net (gain) loss on sale of cost method investment and other	(26,522)	104
Write-down of inventory	1,784	8,460
Asset impairment	3,028	1,028
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	4,785	(25,620)
Accounts receivable sold (repurchased), net	(37,297)	104,495
Inventories	(84,840)	7,939
Other assets	11,461	22,441
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, other payables and income taxes	(99,312)	(184,090)
Other long-term liabilities	(5,326)	1,157
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities	(76,712)	39,074
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(41,849)	(53,373)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	6,897	8,097
Proceeds from the sale of cost method investment	28,995	0
Decrease in deposit for letters of credit	0	30,404
Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities	(5,957)	(14,872)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in documentary letters of credit	(5,268)	6,121
Short-term borrowings, net change	21,870	40,270
Repayments on long-term debt	(2,402)	(48,202)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	2,353	1,559
Cash dividends	(27,963)	(27,752)
Tax benefits from stock plans	1	32
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	10	(41)
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities	(11,399)	(28,013)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,743	(2,397)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(92,325)	(6,208)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	262,422	222,390
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 170,097	$ 216,182