Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 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	$ 1,742	$ 14,914	2,026	$ 413
Ending Balance	7,858,956		7,858,956
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			(9,706)	(12,588)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			11,732	13,001
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			2,026	413
Ending Balance	(209,700)	(213,794)	(209,700)	(213,794)
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)	135
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			10,908	9,671
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			10,599	9,806
Ending Balance	(154,547)	(161,923)	(154,547)	(161,923)
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			1,627	462
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,627	462
Ending Balance	7,283	4,618	7,283	4,618
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			1,184	(6,805)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			809	2,860
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,993	(3,945)
Ending Balance	(7,203)	(9,269)	(7,203)	(9,269)
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			(12,208)	(6,380)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			15	470
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(12,193)	(5,910)
Ending Balance	$ (55,233)	$ (47,220)	$ (55,233)	$ (47,220)