Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 7,866,250
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ 14,778	$ (10,947)	284	$ (14,500)
Ending Balance	7,961,594		7,961,594
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			(211,726)	(214,207)
Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(7,544)	(7,765)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			7,828	(6,735)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			284	(14,500)
Ending Balance	(211,442)	(228,707)	(211,442)	(228,707)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			(165,146)	(171,729)
Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(309)	12,877
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			7,272	(6,448)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			6,963	6,429
Ending Balance	(158,183)	(165,300)	(158,183)	(165,300)
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			5,656	4,156
Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,744	(739)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,744	(739)
Ending Balance	7,400	3,417	7,400	3,417
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			(9,196)	(5,324)
Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,077	(6,233)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			541	(287)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,618	(6,520)
Ending Balance	(7,578)	(11,844)	(7,578)	(11,844)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			(43,040)	(41,310)
Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(10,056)	(13,670)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			15	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(10,041)	(13,670)
Ending Balance	$ (53,081)	$ (54,980)	$ (53,081)	$ (54,980)