CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Stock Option Loans [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Member]
Balance at beginning of period at Jul. 31, 2010	$ 1,182,350	$ 12,796	$ 217,696	$ 1,394,321	$ (412,335)	$ (224)	$ (29,904)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	315,496			315,496
Foreign currency translation	110,229						110,229
Pension liability adjustment	10,746						10,746
Unrealized investment gains/(losses), net of reclassification adjustment	4,076						4,076
Dividends declared	(80,848)			(80,848)
Issuance of shares for stock plans and tax benefit related to stock plans	65,180		(3,439)	(9,918)	78,537
Restricted stock units related to stock plans	5,975		5,975
Stock based compensation expense	26,433		26,433
Purchase of shares	(149,907)				(149,907)
Stock option loans	91					91
Balance at end of period at Jul. 31, 2011	1,489,821	12,796	246,665	1,619,051	(483,705)	(133)	95,147
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	319,309			319,309
Foreign currency translation	(109,815)						(109,815)
Pension liability adjustment	(42,613)						(42,613)
Unrealized investment gains/(losses), net of reclassification adjustment	(5,896)						(5,896)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on derivatives	270						270
Dividends declared	(94,832)			(94,832)
Issuance of shares for stock plans and tax benefit related to stock plans	35,672		(14,380)	(2,602)	52,654
Restricted stock units related to stock plans	7,340		7,340
Stock based compensation expense	31,864		31,864
Purchase of shares	(121,164)				(121,164)
Stock option loans	79					79
Balance at end of period at Jul. 31, 2012	1,510,035	12,796	271,489	1,840,926	(552,215)	(54)	(62,907)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	574,935			574,935
Foreign currency translation	(13,065)						(13,065)
Pension liability adjustment	39,233						39,233
Unrealized investment gains/(losses), net of reclassification adjustment	(1,481)						(1,481)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on derivatives	(2,572)						(2,572)
Dividends declared	(114,516)			(114,516)
Issuance of shares for stock plans and tax benefit related to stock plans	33,014		(12,658)	(16,314)	61,986
Restricted stock units related to stock plans	9,541		9,541
Stock based compensation expense	29,778		29,778
Purchase of shares	(250,000)				(250,000)
Stock option loans	54					54
Balance at end of period at Jul. 31, 2013	$ 1,814,956	$ 12,796	$ 298,150	$ 2,285,031	$ (740,229)	$ 0	$ (40,792)