Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Summary) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 2,496,465	$ 2,518,699
Less current installments of notes payable and long-term debt	375,181	25,197
Notes payable and long-term debt, less current installments	2,121,284	2,493,502
Senior Notes \| 5.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	398,886	397,995
Senior Notes \| 4.700% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	498,004	497,350
Senior Notes \| 4.900% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	299,057	298,814
Senior Notes \| 3.950% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	494,825	494,208
Line of Credit \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	0	0
Line of Credit \| Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 805,693	$ 830,332

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Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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