CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$ 1,056,828	$ 1,065,376	$ 1,123,818
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	317,463	307,538	290,123
Stock-based compensation	31,465	30,821	31,111
Gain on dispositions	0	0	(206,338)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable (net of recoveries)	2,881	5,552	5,053
Deferred income taxes	(99,286)	(28,138)	(48,322)
Employee benefit plan expense	5,679	3,096	11,897
Other, net	(12,385)	(18,218)	(7,368)
Cash effect of changes in assets and liabilities (excluding effects of acquisitions, dispositions and foreign exchange):
Accounts receivable	86,501	(209,021)	(201,540)
Inventories	145,451	(199,033)	(297,623)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	10,158	(3,494)	(14,303)
Accounts payable	(104,576)	15,422	229,334
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	4,222	(34,803)	65,482
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(75,160)	(54,067)	60,734
Accrued taxes	(16,798)	(62,417)	88,190
Contributions to employee benefit plans	(16,098)	(12,890)	(14,383)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,336,345	805,724	1,115,865
Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(192,592)	(220,962)	(171,465)
Acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	(533,623)	(312,855)	(1,112,075)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	4,234	6,061	7,070
Proceeds from dispositions	0	0	274,982
Other	(4,649)	(13,168)	8,735
Net cash used in investing activities	(726,630)	(540,924)	(992,753)
Financing Activities:
Change in commercial paper and other short-term borrowings, net	(267,490)	629,891	105,000
Dividends paid to stockholders	(284,297)	(287,551)	(286,896)
Repurchase of common stock, including payment under accelerated share repurchase program	0	(585,000)	(21,637)
Payments to settle employee tax obligations on exercise of share-based awards	(12,137)	(14,637)	(41,924)
Other	(4,132)	(2,968)	(4,423)
Net cash used in financing activities	(568,056)	(260,265)	(249,880)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(6,666)	(9,171)	(803)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, including cash held for sale	34,993	(4,636)	(127,571)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	380,868	385,504	513,075
Cash and cash equivalents, including cash held for sale, at end of year	415,861	380,868	385,504
Supplemental information - cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	332,192	354,468	233,631
Interest	126,704	112,469	102,139
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	398,561	380,868	385,504
Cash and cash equivalents held for sale	17,300	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, including cash held for sale	$ 415,861	$ 380,868	$ 385,504