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"Great literature shapes language, thought, and feelings." In a general way or in a personal one?
Well, as a cultural product its primary impact is the host culture (and/or invaded or related nations). For example, every time I sit in cab in NYC and the driver is Pakistani or Afghani, they start quoting Persian literature for me. It is quite embarrassing for me since they know their Saadi far better than the native son :( (Apparently Persian Literature is on the curriculum in Central Asia.)
These cultural product provide concise pedagogical content that the larger society absorbs and then, in a "personal" way, each individual applies in (both) his or her internal reflection and external expression. There is pretty much a Persian proverb for every little thing that can happen and most come from "literature" of our greats. Of course, for the serious reader, each of these compact literary forms are gateways to the deeper (occult) content matter.