Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Provision for Income Taxes by Geographic Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Provision for Income Taxes by Geographic Operations [Abstract]
U.S. operations	$ 242,839	$ 220,778	$ 229,772
Non-U.S. operations	60,625	50,132	44,933
Income before income taxes	303,464	270,910	274,705
U.S. operations	81,998	61,328	76,020
Non-U.S. operations	9,923	10,945	9,876
Total provision for income taxes	$ 91,921	$ 72,273	$ 85,896
Effective tax rate	30.30%	26.70%	31.30%