Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Operating Activities
Net earnings	$ 208,111	$ 260,224	$ 247,377
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	74,298	67,163	64,290
Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates, net of distributions	(1,109)	(3,384)	1,637
Deferred income taxes	(5,611)	(7,762)	8,347
Tax benefit of equity plans	(6,780)	(8,781)	(11,191)
Stock compensation plan expense	10,694	11,640	9,148
Loss on sale of business		905
Other, net	25,083	10,041	(6,175)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired businesses
Accounts receivable	(20,641)	(44,851)	3,705
Inventories	(26,232)	(19,273)	20,142
Prepaids and other current assets	(27,795)	(7,769)	13,495
Trade accounts payable and other accrued expenses	(17,175)	59,686	(34,852)
Net cash provided by operating activities	212,843	317,839	315,923
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(93,739)	(97,210)	(94,895)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	172	395	558
Purchases of short-term investments	(27,039)	(108,793)	(99,339)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	114,514	81,486	97,365
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(105,636)
Net cash used in investing activities	(111,728)	(124,122)	(96,311)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from long-term debt	150,000	125,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(4,161)	(81,898)	(1,353)
Change in short-term borrowings	2,751	175,344	(86,957)
Purchase of treasury stock	(256,267)	(279,395)	(102,572)
Dividends paid	(91,220)	(83,070)	(60,320)
Tax benefit of equity plans	6,780	8,781	11,191
Exercise of stock options	13,083	14,437	16,043
Net cash used in financing activities	(179,034)	(120,801)	(223,968)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(28,601)	(636)	2,705
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(106,520)	72,280	(1,651)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	296,418	224,138	225,789
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	189,898	296,418	224,138
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Income taxes	85,568	93,086	84,898
Interest	$ 14,735	$ 11,050	$ 13,531