CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss:	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interests	Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption of new accounting standards Retained Earnings
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2017	$ 2,368,344	$ 253	$ 2,104,203	$ 1,730,893	$ 54,620	$ (1,536,455)	$ 14,830
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan		1	24,865
Vesting of restricted stock awards		3	(3)
Recognition of stock-based compensation			89,608
Declared dividends				(57,126)
Net income	87,541			86,330			1,211
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(74,019)				(74,019)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans						(22,597)
Treasury shares purchased						(450,319)
Declared dividends to noncontrolling interests							(2,920)
Foreign currency adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests							2
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2018	1,963,380	257	2,218,673	1,760,097	(19,399)	(2,009,371)	13,123	$ 40,855
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan		1	26,999
Vesting of restricted stock awards		2	(2)
Recognition of stock-based compensation			58,882
Declared dividends				(51,026)
Net income	289,474			287,111			2,363
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(63,395)				(63,395)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans						(11,918)
Treasury shares purchased						(350,323)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests							1,112
Disposition of noncontrolling interests							(1,785)
Declared dividends to noncontrolling interests							(1,500)
Other							2
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2019	1,900,758	260	2,304,552	2,037,037	(82,794)	(2,371,612)	13,315
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan		2	30,118
Vesting of restricted stock awards		2	(2)
Recognition of stock-based compensation			78,948
Declared dividends				(50,027)
Net income	56,779			53,912			2,867
Other comprehensive income (loss)	48,626				48,626
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans						(23,128)
Treasury shares purchased						(214,510)
Declared dividends to noncontrolling interests							(2,002)
Foreign currency adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests							(165)
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2020	$ 1,825,399	$ 264	$ 2,413,616	$ 2,040,922	$ (34,168)	$ (2,609,250)	$ 14,015