Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Operating Activities
Net earnings	$ 55,947	$ 61,592
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	18,129	16,267
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding effect of acquisition	(26,628)	20,481
Tax benefit of equity plans	(2,257)	(3,408)
Stock compensation plan expense	1,642	1,936
Deferred taxes	(1,988)	(433)
Loss on sale of business		905
Other, net	4,485	1,579
Net cash provided by operating activities	49,330	98,919
Investing Activities
Net expenditures on property, plant, and equipment	(26,957)	(20,530)
Purchases of short-term investments		(46,718)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	45,526	13,316
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(97,619)
Net cash used in investing activities	(79,050)	(53,932)
Financing Activities
Purchase of treasury stock	(134,318)	(12,132)
Repayments of long-term debt	(936)	(312)
Change in short-term borrowings	88,730	(3,829)
Dividends paid	(23,028)	(19,000)
Tax benefit of equity plans	2,257	3,408
Exercise of stock options	2,490	7,460
Net cash used in financing activities	(64,805)	(24,405)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(9,439)	2,810
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(103,964)	23,392
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	296,418	224,138
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 192,454	$ 247,530