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, 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)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	363,956			363,956
Foreign currency translation	14,091						14,091
Pension liability adjustment	3,931						3,931
Unrealized investment gains/(losses), net of reclassification adjustment	757						757
Unrealized gains/(losses) on derivatives	7,092						7,092
Dividends declared	(123,205)			(123,205)
Issuance of shares for stock plans and tax benefit related to stock plans	24,277		(10,351)	(12,821)	47,449
Restricted stock units related to stock plans	7,819		7,819
Stock based compensation expense	31,683		31,683
Purchase of shares	(250,000)				(250,000)
Balance at end of period at Jul. 31, 2014	$ 1,895,357	$ 12,796	$ 327,301	$ 2,512,961	$ (942,780)	$ 0	$ (14,921)