Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax and earnings from unconsolidated affiliates,Domestic u.s. operations	$ 123,200	$ 264,800	$ 292,600
Income tax and earnings from unconsolidated affiliates,Foreign operations	113,000	130,300	$ 83,100
Tax deficiency from restricted stock awards	2,339
Cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	199,800
Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest	1,800	900
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized would affect effective tax rate	900
Accrued interest related to uncertain tax provisions		200
Interest benefit relating to reserves for uncertain tax provisions	100	$ 100
State
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 1,000
Operating loss carryforwards expiration dates	2020
Credit carryforwards	$ 2,000
Credit carryforwards expiration Year	2021
Foreign
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 3,900
Operating loss carryforwards expiration dates	2020