Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Operating Activities
Net earnings	$ 122,374	$ 97,713
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	30,896	30,478
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(43,485)	(19,947)
Tax benefit of equity plans	(7,576)	(7,445)
Stock compensation plan expense	6,440	6,089
Deferred taxes	(4,904)	5,784
Other, net	(1,547)	(19,612)
Net cash provided by operating activities	102,198	93,060
Investing Activities
Net expenditures on property and equipment	(36,349)	(24,051)
Purchase of short-term investments	(93,455)	(66,494)
Acquisitions and divestitures		3,613
Net cash used in investing activities	(129,804)	(86,932)
Financing Activities
Purchase of treasury stock	(73,558)	(6,491)
Proceeds from settlement of interest rate swap		4,710
Repayments of long-term debt	(45,917)	(5,294)
Change in short-term borrowings	79,369	(20,670)
Dividends paid	(22,342)	(19,542)
Tax benefit of equity plans	7,576	7,445
Exercise of stock options	9,791	12,113
Net cash used in financing activities	(45,081)	(27,729)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(19,877)	9,236
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(92,564)	(12,365)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	273,494	232,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 180,930	$ 219,635

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Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).