Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019	Feb. 28, 2021	Feb. 29, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 8,785,856	$ 8,819,173	$ 8,622,916	$ 8,617,530	$ 8,819,173	$ 8,617,530
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,549	8,917	(10,585)	(1,638)	11,466	(12,223)
Ending Balance	8,719,783	8,785,856	8,623,956	8,622,916	8,719,783	8,623,956
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(156,035)	(159,680)	(167,405)	(172,478)	(159,680)	(172,478)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	0	(125)	0	(85)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	5,151	4,977	4,977	4,977
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	5,151	4,852	4,977	4,892
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(1,282)	(1,207)	(1,231)	181
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,869	3,645	3,746	5,073
Ending Balance	(152,166)	(156,035)	(163,659)	(167,405)	(152,166)	(163,659)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	12,555	10,886	9,425	15,297	10,886	15,297
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	2,929	14,506	(5,975)	(3,331)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(3,673)	(12,284)	(1,747)	(4,473)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(744)	2,222	(7,722)	(7,804)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	185	(553)	1,910	1,932
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(559)	1,669	(5,812)	(5,872)
Ending Balance	11,996	12,555	3,613	9,425	11,996	3,613
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(81,527)	(85,130)	(70,591)	(69,752)	(85,130)	(69,752)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	(587)	3,629	(8,540)	(2,411)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(587)	3,629	(8,540)	(2,411)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(174)	(26)	21	1,572
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(761)	3,603	(8,519)	(839)
Ending Balance	(82,288)	(81,527)	(79,110)	(70,591)	(82,288)	(79,110)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(225,007)	(233,924)	(228,571)	(226,933)	(233,924)	(226,933)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	2,342	18,010	(14,515)	(5,827)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	1,478	(7,307)	3,230	504
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	3,820	10,703	(11,285)	(5,323)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(1,271)	(1,786)	700	3,685
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,549	8,917	(10,585)	(1,638)
Ending Balance	$ (222,458)	$ (225,007)	$ (239,156)	$ (228,571)	$ (222,458)	$ (239,156)